During Songkran period, fairs are organized in temples. The fair can happen during the day or the night. People visit temples and make good deeds.
|
As many Thai people go to Buddhist temples during Songkran festival,
many temporary shops can be found in the temple surroundings.
|
| Temple fair |
|---|
Traditionally Thai people visit temples, sprinkle water on the Buddha, and bless elders.
|
Shops are selling food, beverages, clothes, toys, CD and so on...
Inside the fair, there is also dart games, balloon games, fairy wheels and so on...
|
|
| Temple fair |
|---|
Many events (music concert, Thai boxing, movies) happen in order to get money for temples.
|
As usual, Thai people buy garlands and incense sticks. During Songkran
festival they also buy holy water to purify the Buddha statues.
|
| Temple fair |
|---|
At the Buddhist temple, the rite of pouring water on Buddha statues, which have been previously cleaned by the monks, is performed. The ceremony is named "ROD NAM DAM HUA" or รดน้ำดำหัว. It is characterised by the pouring of water on Buddha images but also on the hands of monks and elders.
Thai Buddhist temples traditionally move what are believed to be
their holiest statues to open-air pavilions during the Thai New Year
to allow worshippers to sprinkle them with holy water
(NAM MON - น้ำมนต์).
|
|
| Temple fair |
|---|
Durinf the fair, there are small stalls selling fish, birds. Freeing them is a good action.
|
When praying and requesting a favor to the Lord Buddha, Thai
people take three incense sticks, i.e one pour the Buddha, one for the
Sangha
(สังฆ - Buddhist community),
one for the Dharma
(ธรรม - teachings of the Buddha),
a flower (ดอกไม้ - orchid or lotus,
which symbolizes the Buddhist teachings purity) and a small
candle (เทียน - it symbolizes
comprehension enlightenment). They lit the incense sticks and kneel
three times and put the incense sticks in front of the statue.
|
| Temple fair |
|---|
| Home > Culture > Thai Calendar > Songkran |
| Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5 |
|
